Perth public transport big winner in third ‘Amazing Race’ commute

We tested bikes, electric bikes, buses, trains and cars from four locations across Perth in an Amazing Race-style competition to see which mode of transport will get you to the CBD fastest

The West Australian

VideoWe tested bikes, electric bikes, buses, trains and cars from four locations across Perth in an Amazing Race-style competition to see which mode of transport will get you to the CBD fastest

The frequently derided Perth public transport system has proved the big winner in The Weekend West’s third amazing race through the peak-hour streets of the metropolitan area.

First conducted in 2010, the race involved four competitors leaving from a designated location in four suburbs and using different modes of transport to travel to the city.

This year, the electric bicycle joined the race, taking on the car, public transport and the standard bike.

The competitors left about 7.45am from Noranda, Warwick, Murdoch and Cannington.

Camera IconParticipants in “The Amazing Race” included commuters who took the train, cycled, drove and caught the bus.Picture: Danella Bevis

This year, the race was undertaken in conjunction with the Department of Transport and the “finishing line” was outside its office in William Street in the CBD.

The train won on three routes, including a comprehensive victory from Warwick where it was almost twice as fast as every other mode.

Warwick car driver Natalie Richards reported bumper-to-bumper traffic for most of the journey and “my speedo rarely went above 60km/h”.

“The most disheartening thing was crawling along the freeway while trains and motorbikes zipped by, knowing there was nothing I could do about it,” she said.

The only route where public transport lost was from Noranda, where our commuter had to change buses in Morley.

The electric bike proved faster than the standard bike on two routes, however, the e-biker experienced a mechanical fault on the Murdoch route.

On all routes, the car and bike had similar times, separated by just a few minutes.

Public Transport Authority spokesman David Hynes said the results proved that public transport was one of the best options for Perth commuters.

“Our passengers — the people who actually use public transport in this city — think so too,” he said. “For a number of years, Transperth’s passenger satisfaction monitor has indicated nine in 10 of our passengers are either satisfied or very satisfied with our services.

Camera IconLiam Heitson with his e-bike.Picture: Iain Gillespie

“As the participants in the amazing race would have realised, catching public transport can often lead to time savings, but there are other benefits too.

“In the most recent Canstar City Trains survey, the independent satisfaction monitor not only found Perth passengers had the best service (for the fifth survey running) but those who commute to and from work using Transperth trains spend an average of $33 a week which, depending on their travel journey, is the lowest in the nation.”

Mr Hynes also said that a 2015 Australasian Railway Association survey had found that Perth commuters could save $10,000 a year by using public transport.

“Transperth buses, trains and ferries are also the safest and best way for commuters to multi-task and use technology, read a book, catch up on work emails or a blog or watch a Netflix show while on the move,” he said.

“That’s not something that can be done while behind the wheel, so even if a journey on public transport takes more time, it’s time that can be spent on leisure activities and relaxing, rather than the stress of battling peak-hour traffic.

“Public transport is also congestion-busting, taking drivers off busy roads and transporting them far more efficiently than private cars.”